Gold Coast Light Rail

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsGoldCoast/status/1152367516909355008

[ozbob]

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[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1152379551147708421

[achiruel]

One of the few proven success stories of public transport in Queensland this decade. Now get on with extending it!

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/gclightrail/status/1153463004853227520

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast trams used for more than a million journeys in just one month

A new statistic has been revealed about the light rail which sheds fresh light on the service's impact on the Gold Coast.

NEW data has revealed the Gold Coast's light rail is busier than ever, with more than one million journeys taken on the trams in a single month.

TransLink figures obtained by the Bulletin show the record number of journeys were taken on the tram during July.

The high figure coincided with the fifth anniversary of the first tram journey and is on top of the 42 million passenger journeys recorded since 2014.

Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said usage of the light rail was growing consistently.

"The fact we're still seeing strong and consistent passenger growth five years after light rail started shows what a valued and dependable public transport service it has become for the Coast," she said.

The figures come just a week after the State Government announced it would commit $351 million towards the 6.6km Stage 3A which will run from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.

The state is now negotiating with the Federal Government to increase its $112 million contribution.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said construction of the tram system would begin next year if a funding agreement could be reached soon.

"We're on board, Mayor Tom Tate and his council is ready to go – the only thing holding the project back is the lack of a serious offer from Canberra," Mr Bailey said.

"We need the Morrison Government to get on board to allow construction to start next year."

Stage 3A is expected to create more than 760 jobs during construction.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/8/14/monthly-tram-trips-cruise-past-the-million-mark

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Monthly tram trips cruise past the million mark

More than one million tram trips were taken on the Gold Coast last month, a new monthly record for the much-loved light rail service.

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the popular service had been expected to break the monthly million mark this year and was pleased to see the record confirmed by TransLink's latest numbers for July.

"The fact we're still seeing strong and consistent passenger growth five years after light rail started shows what a valued and dependable public transport service it has become for the Coast," Ms Scanlon said.

"More than 42 million trips have been taken on the 'G' over that full five year journey and the latest monthly record just confirms how important it is to get a fair deal from Canberra to help us get on with the next stage to Burleigh."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government's $351 commitment to that stage announced last week showed it was serious about getting on with the job.

"We're on board, Mayor Tom Tate and his council is ready to go – the only thing holding the project back is the lack of a serious offer from Canberra," Mr Bailey said.

"They've put up $112 million, just 16% of what it will cost to deliver Stage 3A, which is frankly an insult for a large city like the Gold Coast.

"We need the Morrison Government to get on board to allow construction to start next year."

Stage 3A would extend the route by seven kilometres from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads and include eight new train stations.

It's expected to create more than 760 jobs during construction.

Translink data released last monyh confirmed more than 42.1 million passengers boarding G:link trams since services began in July 2014.

Busiest stations in 2018-19 were Cavill Avenue with (1.67 million boardings) followed by Broadbeach South (1.49 million), Southport (1.1 million), Helensvale (1.09 million) and Gold Coast University Hospital Station (900,000).

The figures support a wider trend in record public transport use in south east Queensland.

Close to 190 million trips taken were on south east buses, trains, trams and ferries in 2018/19 - seven million more than the previous financial year.

ENDS

[Cazza]

When you think about it, that's a pretty crazy number for one of the Gold Coast's quieter months of the year. Yes, the school holidays may have taken up a week or two, but it's over the summer months when the GC really gets going with tourists, holiday-makers, day-trippers from Brisbane and other events drawing people to the main strip over the festive season.

[achiruel]

The GCLR has been the outstanding success of public transport in SEQ in the past decade IMO. Yet we still have imbeciles on news comment sections writing trash like this:

Its a roll over guys , billions wasted and city smashed and running costs balloon out . As always its now a 60 year out of date system of a fixed rail . No future to interchange as public transport goes into the future . The power guys KNOW ITS A FIZZIER WHITE ELEPHANT .

If it's such a stunning success please release all the information including the full operating costs. Manipulating and hiding the facts doesn't help anyone. How has that number of 42 million been calculated? Or is that a secret to?

Great to see its being used. I wish they would release all the data particularly around operating costs. The business case for it is zero. It's novel and great to move tourists, students and seniors around. I'd rather see my tax go to fixing the m1 which will actually contribute to the economy.

How do you deal with such a level of ignorance?

[Cazza]

You can't teach common sense sadly... Just hit them hard with facts, then they'll hopefully shut up.

But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, there will still be loonies out there. As my dad likes to say: The emptiest cans make the loudest noise.

[timh]

The GCLR has been the outstanding success of public transport in SEQ in the past decade IMO. Yet we still have imbeciles on news comment sections writing trash like this:

Its a roll over guys , billions wasted and city smashed and running costs balloon out . As always its now a 60 year out of date system of a fixed rail . No future to interchange as public transport goes into the future . The power guys KNOW ITS A FIZZIER WHITE ELEPHANT .

If it's such a stunning success please release all the information including the full operating costs. Manipulating and hiding the facts doesn't help anyone. How has that number of 42 million been calculated? Or is that a secret to?

Great to see its being used. I wish they would release all the data particularly around operating costs. The business case for it is zero. It's novel and great to move tourists, students and seniors around. I'd rather see my tax go to fixing the m1 which will actually contribute to the economy.

How do you deal with such a level of ignorance?

I stopped reading comments on courier Mail articles for exactly this reason. It's just absolutely infuriating. Completely biased, uneducated trash.

[achiruel]

I stopped reading comments on courier Mail articles for exactly this reason. It's just absolutely infuriating. Completely biased, uneducated trash.

It frustrates me a lot too, but I feel some level of obligation to correct the ridiculous amount of misinformation that's floating around out there.

[SurfRail]

How do you deal with such a level of ignorance?

You don't - they are an irrelevance.  At this point it's like ignoring the people who still want Melbourne's trams ripped up, ie very easy to do.

[achiruel]

How do you deal with such a level of ignorance?

You don't - they are an irrelevance.  At this point it's like ignoring the people who still want Melbourne's trams ripped up, ie very easy to do.

You don't think there's any need to discredit their disinformation?

[SurfRail]

Why?  They don't make decisions affecting whether it gets extended.  Spend your effort working on the various levels of government rather than Karen from Palm Beach and her irrelevant rantings on "soash".

If there is a City Deal signed for SEQ I want that to have an agreed funding formula for projects like this so there's no more faffing around.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> I want the light rail in my backyard, writes Ann Wason Moore: Opinion

While people are fighting to keep the light rail out of their backyard, I am all for it, writes Ann Wason Moore. And there's a good reason why.

I'LL admit I'm a fan of the light rail.

I can't say I actually use it that much (OK, I've only used it once, during the Commonwealth Games) but I'm certain I'll be jumping aboard once it arrives in Nobby Beach.

I'm the opposite of a NIMBY, I can't wait for better public transportation to be in my backyard — well, across the Gold Coast Highway actually.

Aside from my own personal use, what a fantastic option for my kids to use when they come of age and are ready to hit the city's party precincts. No waiting in cab queues, no haggling over how to split an Uber fare, and no temptation to drive.

We're lucky enough to live in an area where we'll be able to access the tram station by foot, but what about others from further afield?

Connecting the dots of the light rail network is one thing (and a fantastic thing at that), but the picture isn't complete without considering parking.

Even when the entire G: Link is constructed, the tram stations will be far from servicing the whole Coast. In fact, most people will need to use our roads to access the rail.

Sure, there are buses that can take you there, and that's all part of the plan, but the fact is that most people still prefer to drive. It's just easier ... or so it seems.

Already the public parking at the Nobby's shops is challenging at best. Despite living on the west side of the highway, our suburban streets are regularly packed with parked cars courtesy of customers unable to find a space in the vicinity of the shops.

The streets on the eastern side have it even worse due to demand from beachgoers.

Add parking from light rail passengers and it's really going to get interesting — especially under the urban design changes earmarked for Nobby's in preparation for the tram station.

The Nobby Beach Urban Revitalisation will see a transformation of the business precinct, turning some of the existing carparking area into a pedestrian plaza and dining space.

It sounds lovely, just as long as you can access it.

And it's not just a Nobby's problem.

Beachfront parking limits for the streets of the southern Gold Coast have been recommended to council, with streets in Currumbin and Coolangatta potentially restricted to two to three hours.

The intention is understandable — these are high-traffic areas in terms of parking and increasing turnover improves access. It could also prove beneficial to local businesses — so long as customers can complete their spending within the allocated time.

But it also means a day spent on our beaches, while easily accessible for tourists staying in oceanside apartments, is becomingly increasingly out of reach for locals living further inland.

Public transportation is well and good for business commuters and day-trippers travelling into city and retail centres, but boarding a bus with wet, sandy kids complete with towels, buckets and spades is no easy feat.

Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet for council to unload to solve this parking problem, it's one of the consequences that comes with living in a growing city.

What we can do, however, is make sure we look at the whole picture when it comes to transportation. We need to focus on not just the position of the light rail stations, but how we get there. The north-south path of the light rail is certainly one of the most necessary routes for our city, but we need to make sure we look at options for west-east travel as well.

Easy access to this city's beaches and attractions should not be a privilege for the few, but the right of every resident.

Surely everyone is a fan of that.

[Gazza]

Karen from Palm Beach

Karen by name and "A Karen" by nature.

[James]

But it also means a day spent on our beaches, while easily accessible for tourists staying in oceanside apartments, is becomingly increasingly out of reach for locals living further inland.

Public transportation is well and good for business commuters and day-trippers travelling into city and retail centres, but boarding a bus with wet, sandy kids complete with towels, buckets and spades is no easy feat.

3hr parking is plenty of time to be spending down at the beach, particularly if you're a local living a few km inland - it isn't exactly a mission to go home and rinse off and eat a meal in something more than swimmers.

This affects both locals and day-trippers, but it isn't a show stopper. Go swim at another beach, go to the shops, or if this is such a big deal, park 500m+ away and walk - if you're there all day a 5-7 minute walk shouldn't be the be-all and end-all.

Also, FWIW, James has caught the bus to Burleigh beach many times. I survived.

[SurfRail]

People who claim it's too hard to take kids to the beach (or indeed anywhere else) on the bus are frankly lazy.  Go and sit at any Gold Coast line station from Helensvale and south and just watch, plenty of people manage it every day making intermodal transfers, so the people who won't do it even where a direct bus exists are a putting it on a bit.

The only reasonable excuse would be if the levels of service were garbage and for a good chunk of the Gold Coast now that is patently untrue - and getting less true all the time as service upgrades get rolled out.

[verbatim9]

People who claim it's too hard to take kids to the beach (or indeed anywhere else) on the bus are frankly lazy.  Go and sit at any Gold Coast line station from Helensvale and south and just watch, plenty of people manage it every day making intermodal transfers, so the people who won't do it even where a direct bus exists are a putting it on a bit.

The only reasonable excuse would be if the levels of service were garbage and for a good chunk of the Gold Coast now that is patently untrue - and getting less true all the time as service upgrades get rolled out.

Depends where you live and how far your closest stop is? Kids can be a handful and many just want to get to a destination as quick as possible with minimal fuss. I can understand the situation from both sides. But parents should give it a go on PT from time to time. Helps the kids become aware of social surroundings and Public Transport etiquitte.

[#Metro]

People who claim it's too hard to take kids to the beach (or indeed anywhere else) on the bus are frankly lazy.

Wow, talk about first world problems! Did people want the beach to come to them as well? 

[achiruel]

I've caught the train/tram and train/bus to beaches along the Gold Coast numerous times. The biggest issue I have is anywhere to store things. It would be good if more public lockers or something were available near beaches (I wouldn't mind paying a reasonable amount either).

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast light rail: the push to extend night services north

A PUSH is on to extend light rail trips between the Gold Coast's northern suburbs and the Glitter Strip of Surfers Paradise after the line goes dead from about midnight.

Bonney MP Sam O'Connor has called for a trial during the peak summer holiday season to boost services from Gold Coast University Hospital station to Helensvale.

In a Question on Notice to Transport Minister Mark Bailey in June, Mr O'Connor asked whether the department was monitoring the network's demands on stage 2 after 11pm.

Mr O'Connor yesterday told the Bulletin the Government refused to budge, citing low patronage and costs.

"I would support a trial (of extended services)," he said. "The Government is basing their decision on monitoring a few people getting off at the university stop.

"Why would you catch it when it's going just to the hospital? You would get an Uber home."

Under the current timetable, weekly services stop at the university station at midnight with the last tram on weekends at 1.45am. Stage 1 continues with 30-minute services into the early hours of the morning.

Mr O'Connor said he had been approached by university students, hospital workers and carers about being stranded and forced to walk to Parkwood station to collect their vehicles parked earlier in the day.

Mr O'Connor believed providing a similar timetable on Stage 2 to Stage 1 would benefit Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach restaurants as diners from Parkwood, Arundel and Helensvale would extend their visits.

He said university students had told him it was "scary" walking home.

Mr Bailey said Transport and Main Roads (TMR) would continue to monitor patronage but a review showed the current timetable was very successful with light rail recording an estimated 10.88 million trips in the 2018–19, an increase of 1.39 million trips compared to 2017–18.

A departmental review was conducted between July 2018 to May 2019 on Gold Coast University Hospital, Parkwood East, Parkwood and Helensvale stations.

"The review indicated an average of four customers per tram alight on Friday night and six customers per tram alight on Saturday night after 11pm at the GCUH station," Mr Bailey said.

"TMR has reviewed the span of hours of the light rail, and current patronage indicates there is insufficient demand to warrant the additional investment required for increased late night services beyond GCUH."

Typical anti-public transport response from TMR.   

[SurfRail]

I'm not bothered.  Far more concerned about the feeder bus services which stop 8 hours earlier.

[achiruel]

People who claim it's too hard to take kids to the beach (or indeed anywhere else) on the bus are frankly lazy.  Go and sit at any Gold Coast line station from Helensvale and south and just watch, plenty of people manage it every day making intermodal transfers, so the people who won't do it even where a direct bus exists are a putting it on a bit.

The only reasonable excuse would be if the levels of service were garbage and for a good chunk of the Gold Coast now that is patently untrue - and getting less true all the time as service upgrades get rolled out.

FWIW I went to the Gold Coast (Broadbeach North) yesterday via train and light rail. I took I think the second train south so there wasn't many pax, but coming back around 4pm the tram was loaded to the gills going toward Helensvale and the train wasn't much emptier. I know public holiday public transport services are expensive but how much is building new M1s? Running trains every 15 minutes on long weekends, especially to the Gold Coast, might help alleviate the massive traffic congestion. Sunshine Coast would be good too, except for that pesky single track.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1188250461779849216

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast History: Flashback to 2003 feasibility study into Gold Coast Light Rail system

THE future of the Gold Coast Light rail is moving closer to reality. But what did a feasibility study into the tram system say about the best way forward?

THE $660 million extension of the Gold Coast light rail south to Burleigh Heads is finally going ahead.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will today announce that a deal to fund the $709 million project has been concluded.

Much talk has focused on what impact the tramline will have on the surrounding area as it moves south along the Gold Coast Highway.

It comes 16 years after the feasibility study for the tram system's first stage was ticked off.

In 2003, the tram system, then just an idea, passed the first hurdle.

Consultants found light rail was a better solution to the city's worsening traffic problems than other transport options, according to the study.

Then-transport minister Steve Bredhauer told the Bulletin in 2003 the concept of a light rail system had passed two key milestones in the assessment process and that it would play a role in the city's future transport requirements.

He said that the study, which was jointly funded by the state and federal governments, would move to the next stage — evaluating a short-list of route options and a detailed financial and economic assessment.

As part of this stage, environmental factors and project delivery options were investigated, as would the development of an implementation plan.

The consultants compared the light rail to bus, monorail, and then-new technologies such as personal rapid transit and guided buses.

Their report suggested a light rail route between Parkwood and Broadbeach would cost $300 million to $400 million and carry 50,000 passengers a day by 2011.

"The coastal fringe nature of Gold Coast development means that light rail could have a role to play in maximising lifestyle quality, minimising environmental impacts and servicing the growing economic needs of the region," said Mr Bredhauer told the Bulletin.

"Rapid population growth is projected to continue in southeast Queensland and on the Gold Coast in particular, resulting in a need to strategically review public transport needs in the area."

This projection of its cost and its completion were not even close to accurate — Trams would not start carry passengers until July 2014 and the first stage would ultimately cost around $1.2 billion.

But it was good news at the time for then-mayor Gary Baildon who had been a long-time supporter of the system.

He said at the time the news vindicated the council's stand that a light rail system was what the city needed.

"I'm very pleased the first stage has been completed and the information I've been given is certainly optimistic, in that it's a very viable form of transport," said Cr Baildon said at the time.

"I've got no doubt of the viability of it. I've got no doubt of the support of the Gold Coast community for it, and I've got no doubt that it's the way of the future.

"It's been proved throughout other countries in the world.

The light rail had first been proposed in mid-late 1997 and went through years of battles for funding. Stage one was finished in 2014 and stage two took its first passengers in late 2017.

Now, Gold Coasters can look forward to the first sod being turned on stage three.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1202411195950460928

[ozbob]

ABC --> Gold Coast MP casts doubt over rapid transit plans

Queensland Opposition leader John-Paul Langbroek says rapid transit is not the answer to the Gold Coast's traffic congestion.

Mr Langbroek says a coastal light rail network will not help most residents.

The Member for Surfers Paradise has told a business breakfast the Gold Coast needs the type of infrastructure and the public transport that has been provided in Brisbane.

"We literally are getting choked with cars there because of the linear nature of the city," he said.

"So we need to do something but the people of the Gold Coast are not confident that the solution that's being provided is the best possible one when you are going along such a well-travelled route but you can't get on from the western suburbs."

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1226767764003491840

[SurfRail]

Numbskull.

[City Designer]

There's a tweet that has not aged well. He said it back in 2009.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Ann Wason Moore: Gold Coast doomed to repeat light rail mistakes unless it looks back at Stage 1

THOSE who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.

Fortunately on the Gold Coast, we don't have to look back very far to find a very important lesson when it comes to the light rail.

Mention the construction phase of Stage 1 down in Southport and business owners will shudder at the memory ... those who survived it, that is.

As successful as our G:Link rapid transit system is now, and as much as I personally can't wait for it to stretch down south to my suburb, we can't ignore that building these tramlines take their toll on local communities.

In fact, one business leader tells me the Gold Coast Stage 1 experience is now studied in cities around the world as a perfect example of what not to do.

Indeed, back in 2014 then-Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Peter Yared warned Sydney-siders to brace themselves for a devastating impact to business as construction began on the NSW capital's own light rail system.

"It has been absolutely diabolical what the light rail construction has done to the area, from Southport to the other areas affected by the system," he said.

"At least 13 per cent or more of the businesses have shut down and gone out of business due to the length of the construction.

"We realise it was busy and this work needed to take place but it could have been handled a lot better. Nothing is going to change the damage that has been done and it is going to take at least four years for local business to maybe get back to where it was."

Fast-forward five years and now we're about to start construction of Stage 3A of the light rail, from Broadbeach to Burleigh, in the midst of the worst economic environment since the Great Depression.

Guys, this could get ugly.

But let me be clear: the light rail extension must happen.

It's a no-brainer. Not only will construction provide hundreds of jobs when they will be most needed but excellent public transportation is not just good for the environment, but good for the city - residents and businesses alike will ultimately benefit.

Unfortunately, it's just that getting there is the opposite of fun.

The businesses most likely to be affected by the light rail route have already been hammered by the pandemic. These are not large chain stores or multinational firms but small businesses owned by local families.

To that end, the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce is conducting a survey among its members to find out just how businesses can stay alive.

President Martin Hall says the timing of light rail construction will make recovery from the effects of COVID-19 even harder.

"That's definitely the undertone from both a financial perspective and also mental health, there's passion from people to continue but we just don't know how much longer some of these businesses can keep rolling with the punches," he says.

"We believe the information from this survey will equip us to equip them.

"The Chamber is firmly in favour of the light rail extension, but we don't want businesses to pay the price. We need to make sure before construction begins that owners have the support they need.

"There's a fish and chip shop at Burleigh that will effectively have its front door barricaded off, how can they still sell chips if no one can see them? We need to help them access digital marketing and social media so they can survive.

"Hopefully when it's all over and the light rail arrives, they will thrive."

Indeed, the solution is not necessarily about compensation but creative thinking.

As a city, we must find ways to better support our local business community during construction of this essential project so that they live to profit from its success. And our leaders must listen to the needs of those most affected.

Let's do this in memory of those businesses who made the ultimate sacrifice in Stage 1.

Let's make sure we think ahead by first looking back.

[SurfRail]

What Burleigh fish and chip shop is he talking about?  Seriously... 

The thing is being built in the middle of a main road, it is going to be nothing like Surfers Blvd or Scarborough St where it is hard up against shopfronts.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Rate rise on the cards?: Fresh twist looms for Gold Coast suburbs in light rail debate

LOVE it or loathe it, the light rail is on track to polarise opinions yet again.

With stage one of the project reportedly boosting the surrounding land value by a total of $300 million, future G:Link extensions are set to be a gravy train for nearby property owners.

But new research means they may well have to pay for the privilege.

Griffith University Professor of Urban Management and Planning and director of its Cities Research Institute Paul Burton says his department is investigating not just how the light rail adds value to land owners but if – and how – the beneficiaries should share the largesse with their neighbours.

While a targeted rate rise may sound alarm bells for residents, Paul says it's all about being a team player. As a former town planner who now studies our city for the benefit of others, Paul says the Gold Coast can lead southeast Queensland out of its COVID-19 depression.

But he warns future success will require flexibility from both residents and leaders as well as a commitment to meet the challenge of change ... starting with the light rail.

"The light rail has been a controversial project but one that I think inarguably can be said to be positive for the city," says Paul.

"It's a fantastic piece of infrastructure and if you live in the light rail corridor, the land values have gone up, or will go up.

"What we're doing is first of all trying to measure precisely how much the increase is, and how much of that can be attributed to the light rail. If you live within walking distance of a station then it's definitely affected your property value because having public transportation links is a great selling point.

"If you live two to three kilometres away from a station, then it's arguable how much light rail has added value to your home.

"Once we've solved that part of the equation, the question is looking at how we share that value across the city.

"If your home has rocketed in value because of infrastructure, then maybe you should be paying more back into the city so that infrastructure can be built in other areas. That might be through a simple rate rise for those living within a 500m radius of a station, for example.

"Just as we should compensate someone if we impinge on their property for the sake of a project that is for the common good, perhaps they should repay other residents if they stand to benefit from such a project. It's the principal of compensation, but in reverse.

"But as you can imagine, regardless of the fairness of that idea, suggestions of increased rates and levies are inevitably met with opposition. We're trying to find a way that's palatable and that will see all of the city's residents able to reap the benefits of a growing transportation network."

Of course, as a trained town planner, Paul is used to copping criticism. Since moving to the Gold Coast from the UK in 2007 to take up a chair in Urban Planning and Management at Griffith University, he's worked closely with the City of Gold Coast and says our city planners are "damned if they do, damned if they don't".

He says while Palm Beach remains ground zero in the battle for and against development, it's a heated conversation that is ultimately healthy for our city.

In fact, he says what concerns him more are the sprawling suburbs in the city's north.

"Town planners get blamed for what they do allow and what they don't allow. But overall I think the city's planners have got it about right. All planning schemes have to be constantly reviewed to make sure they are doing what they are intended to do. The town plan has to evolve with the city.

"People have a very polarised view of the Gold Coast. Many think the only options are a four-bedroom detached house in the 'burbs or a unit in the Q1. Those are actually the extremes, in between are so many possibilities.

"When we talk about higher density living along the coastal strip, that might mean four-storeys, not skyscrapers.

"The fact is that we can't lock people off from the beach and send them to live in suburban isolation. Our biggest challenge over the next 50 years is ensuring that the Gold Coast is built not just for tourists but residents.

"We need to manage the growth so we don't spoiled the environment, and part of that is keeping the footprint smaller and the density higher.

"I can live with high-rise shadows on the beach, what I don't like is the sprawl of northern suburbs where not enough thought was put into how they would function.

"Each development in and of itself is fine. There are parks and the homes are nice and the streets are landscaped ... but it's just one after another after another and no thought into the fact they're all trying to cram on to the M1 at the same time every morning.

"There is no character either."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1291257305514696705

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast light rail: Council report reveals how successful trams are

A new Gold Coast City Council report has revealed some stunning data about the light rail, including how popular it actually is.

LIGHT rail has been a stunning success, boosting development and increasing travellers and pedestrians, according to a new report.

Councillors will receive the Building Our City-Light Rail Corridor update report at a planning committee meeting today. The Bulletin can reveal the key findings are:

* A 61.8 per cent increase in average daily trips on the light rail from 2014 to 2018-19.

* More than 8500 dwellings approved during 2018 and 2019.

* A 180 per cent increase in pedestrians along Hooker Boulevard between Broadbeach South station and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre from 2013 to 2018.

The report said the number of daily patronage trips had increased across a five-year period from 18,196 to 29,433, largely due to Stage 2 to Helensvale being completed.

The transfer from train to light rail at Helensvale station had increased from 199,093 in 2017-18 to 421,332 in 2018-19.

By comparison, for the same period, light rail to train transfer increased from 204,574 to 434,574.

Total trips had increased from 6.2 million in 2014-15 to 10.7 million in 2018-19.

Traffic had decreased by 47 per cent in Scarborough Street at Southport, was down by 16 per cent at the Ada Bell Way at the Gold Coast Highway and by 17 per cent at the Elizabeth Street and Margaret Avenue intersection.

"The number of vehicles at the measured sites continues to decrease with the most notable drops at Scarborough Street in Southport and the Gold Coast Highway at Broadbeach," the report said.

"Interestingly, in regards to the east-west connections into Surfers Paradise, there has been an increase observed at Via Roma, with commensurate decrease along Thomas Drive."

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Ann Wason Moore: Stop throwing light rail under the electric bus

It's time to stop throwing light rail under the bus.

The electric bus, that is.

Time and again electric buses have been pitched as a solution to the Gold Coast's complex transportation problems.

While certainly these clean and green (but expensive) buses should be part of our metropolitan matrix, they are only a small aspect of the ultimate answer to the traffic, pollution and disconnection that threatens our city.

Unfortunately, the suggestion that electric buses could pose an ideal alternative to the light rail is gaining traction ... even though the idea is actually off the rails.

Larissa Rose, director of Gold Coast-based environmental consultancy company Glowing Green Australia and winner of the Mentors category of the 2020 Harvey Norman Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year, says anything other than a light rail route running down the Gold Coast Highway to the Gold Coast Airport simply will not work.

"Building a future-proofed transportation matrix is essential for the Gold Coast. We need to get the job done and get it done properly," Larissa says.

"Electric buses are great for smaller routes running east-west to connect light and heavy rail, but they are absolutely no substitution for a light rail route running down the spine of the coast.

"They don't have the capacity to carry large numbers of passengers, they add to the traffic on our roads ... and why on earth would we have two transportation systems down the one route where people have to get off and change from rail to bus?"

It's like the old proverb: don't change horses midstream.

Imagine arriving at the airport, jumping on an electric bus to Burleigh and then switching to the light rail up to Broadbeach. No thanks. Surely it would be far easier to call an Uber or a taxi ... and there goes any reduction to traffic or pollution.

Yet in countless cities with functional public transportation, the sight of travellers on board a train with luggage in tow is completely common. It's simple, it's cheap and it's heavily patronised.

And while you can fit hundreds of people on light rail – adding railcars as demand grows, buses are limited in passenger capacity ... which would mean exorbitant wait times at these fanciful and farcical transportation transfer points.

The fact is we have invested in light rail, it's here and it's not going to stop only for another transportation system to pick up in its literal tracks.

Besides, the truth is that people just don't like buses.

Ironically, an argument often proposed as evidence against the need for the light rail is the regular sight of empty buses lumbering up and down the highway, in particular the 777.

But actually, this just shows exactly why we need rail – if we want people out of their cars and on public transportation, we need anything but more buses.

In fact, Curtin University Professor of Sustainability Peter Newman has based his career on advocating for the implementation of trains and trams over buses.

"I began my life as an activist academic in 1979 when the Western Australian government closed the Fremantle railway, saying buses would be better. Patronage immediately fell by 30 per cent and I ran a four-year campaign to save the railway. We won.

"I have been writing books and running campaigns ever since on why trains and trams are better than buses.

"Light rail has many success stories of competing with cars and attracting denser development (versus urban sprawl), so commentators like me do our best to make them policy-relevant."

Yes, there are drawbacks to light rail – the cost and disruption of construction in particular – but these are short-term problems for a long-term solution.

And let's not forget that electric buses are not exactly cheap either. Not only do they require their own infrastructure such as charging stations, but to provide the same passenger capacity as light rail we would need a ridiculous number.

Yes, electric buses have their place – primarily in replacing diesel buses on established routes or in providing links between our two rail systems. And if you're still not convinced, just please think of the children.

"To those people who don't want the light rail, try to remember that it's not all about you," says Larissa.

"You might be okay with keeping more cars on the road and adding to pollution, but what about your children?

"Young people want lower carbon transportation and cleaner solutions, and that's what the light rail offers.

"You may not want it in your suburb, but our kids need it. It provides social connection, economic benefits and it's a sustainable solution not just for our city but for the planet."

In other words, we're on the right track.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> How light rail has helped Gold Coast's traffic problem

A stretch of road on the Gold Coast Highway is defying traffic trends across the city — and the State Transport Minister has one definitive answer as the reason why.

New State Government data shows 2800 fewer vehicles are using the Marble Arch section of the highway at Arundel/Helensvale each day, down from 46,812 in 2014.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the decrease was all down to the light rail link with heavy rail at Helensvale which opened in 2017.

Traffic on the Biggera Creek stretch of the Gold Coast Highway had dropped by 347 cars per day in the five years.

"That investment in public transport is already paying dividends, with traffic figures on the Gold Coast Highway in Helensvale down 2800 cars per day because a record 50 million trips plus have been taken on light rail to-date," Mr Bailey said.

Mr Bailey said traffic on Scarborough Street, Southport had dropped 47 per cent and pedestrian movement increased to Pacific Fair Shopping Centre by 180 per cent.

Mr Bailey predicted the traffic trend would flow to Burleigh when Stage 3 of the light rail from Broadbeach was complete.

Data shows 37,330 vehicles — up 5145 from 2014 — were travelling the Gold Coast Highway between Second and Third avenues.

However, Burleigh MP Michael Hart said light rail would not have the same positive impact on his electorate as it had in the north.

"Light rail may have taken some cars off the northern end, which is why I support getting light rail to the airport. If light rail goes down from Burleigh to Palm Beach there absolutely will be a cut in traffic, but that is only because it will cut traffic on the road down to a single lane," he said.

"Less cars being able to get through at once wouldn't mean less traffic, it would have an impact and ultimately add to the traffic."

Mr Hart said he believed the increase at Burleigh over the five-year period was due to continued road works on the M1 pushing traffic on to the Gold Coast Highway.

"I am not surprised by the numbers and the Gold Coast is growing. Public transport is only reducing traffic on the road by the number of people using public transport."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/gclightrail/status/1305268788376596480

[achiruel]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> How light rail has helped Gold Coast's traffic problem

A stretch of road on the Gold Coast Highway is defying traffic trends across the city — and the State Transport Minister has one definitive answer as the reason why.

New State Government data shows 2800 fewer vehicles are using the Marble Arch section of the highway at Arundel/Helensvale each day, down from 46,812 in 2014.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the decrease was all down to the light rail link with heavy rail at Helensvale which opened in 2017.

Traffic on the Biggera Creek stretch of the Gold Coast Highway had dropped by 347 cars per day in the five years.

"That investment in public transport is already paying dividends, with traffic figures on the Gold Coast Highway in Helensvale down 2800 cars per day because a record 50 million trips plus have been taken on light rail to-date," Mr Bailey said.

Mr Bailey said traffic on Scarborough Street, Southport had dropped 47 per cent and pedestrian movement increased to Pacific Fair Shopping Centre by 180 per cent.

Mr Bailey predicted the traffic trend would flow to Burleigh when Stage 3 of the light rail from Broadbeach was complete.

Data shows 37,330 vehicles — up 5145 from 2014 — were travelling the Gold Coast Highway between Second and Third avenues.

However, Burleigh MP Michael Hart said light rail would not have the same positive impact on his electorate as it had in the north.

"Light rail may have taken some cars off the northern end, which is why I support getting light rail to the airport. If light rail goes down from Burleigh to Palm Beach there absolutely will be a cut in traffic, but that is only because it will cut traffic on the road down to a single lane," he said.

"Less cars being able to get through at once wouldn't mean less traffic, it would have an impact and ultimately add to the traffic."

Mr Hart said he believed the increase at Burleigh over the five-year period was due to continued road works on the M1 pushing traffic on to the Gold Coast Highway.

"I am not surprised by the numbers and the Gold Coast is growing. Public transport is only reducing traffic on the road by the number of people using public transport."

The Member for Burleigh proving once again that he's a troglodyte when it comes to public transport.